Characteristic of Inflammatory Airway Disease in Japanese Thoroughbred Racehorses

Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) is a common cause of poor performance, interruption of training and premature retirement in racehorses. It is also reported that up to 80% of horses are affected at some point in the first years of training in UK and Australia. However, no studies with regard to the information on occurrence of IAD in Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses have been reported. To investigate the occurrence and the characteristics of IAD, epidemic research including endoscopic examination of the airway tract and trachea wash was conducted for Thoroughbred racehorses presenting coughs or poor performance which airway tract disease was suspected stalled in training facility managed by Japan Racing Association. Fifty-six out of 76 Thoroughbred racehorses (73.7%) presenting coughing or poor performance were diagnosed as IAD. Mean incidence rate of IAD was 0.3% and it has been confirmed that constant number of IAD exists in Japan. Up to 35.7% of IAD horses showed upper airway abnormalities in some extent. There was a trend for IAD horses to use wood shavings for bedding and fed hay from the ground compared with the control group. Therefore, improvement of stabling environment may aid in preventing IAD. This study demonstrated that Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses are affected by IAD likewise other countries as well as demonstrated the characteristics of IAD which may contribute to the clarification of the pathogenesis of IAD.     

两种大肠杆菌苗对仔猪大肠杆菌病的防制效果对比试验

用具有代表性的地方流行菌株制备的菌苗与购自甘肃的菌苗在同一猪场进行仔猪大肠杆菌病的防制效果对些试验。结果：自制菌苗对仔猪的免疫效果明显优于购自甘肃的菌苗，两种菌苗的免疫保护率差异极显著。前者免疫的猪群黄白痢的发病和死亡率分别比后者下降14．97％和13．20％，水肿病的发病、死亡率为0。     

Retrospective epidemiological investigation of an outbreak of bovine ephemeral fever in 1991 affecting dairy cattle herds on the Mediterranean coastal plain

From August to October 1991 bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) occurred sporadically in two localities in Israel. The morbidity and mortality rates reached 2.6% and 0.1%, respectively. Only 12/50 dairy cattle herds were clinically infected with BEF in the dairy community. The total morbidity rate reached 0.8%. The lowest morbidity rate was recorded in young heifers (5.5%) and the highest in adult cows (75%). Only heifers over the age of three months were clinically affected. The spread of the disease apparently followed the local prevailing night winds, which blow from east to west, i.e., from the land toward the sea. The morbidity period lasted 61 days. The low incidence and morbidity rates were possibly due to the low virulence of the virus strain involved in the 1991 epidemic. Retrospective analysis indicates that vectors - apparently mosquitoes - infected with BEF virus could have been overwintering.     

Implantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells demonstrates improved outcome in horses with overstrain injury of the superficial digital flexor tendon

Reasons for performing study: Mesenchymal stem (progenitor; stromal) cell (MSC) therapy has gained popularity for the treatment of equine tendon injuries but without reports of long‐term follow‐up. Objectives: To evaluate the safety and reinjury rate of racehorses after intralesional MSC injection in a large study of naturally occurring superficial digital flexor tendinopathy and to compare these data with those published for other treatments. Methods: Safety was assessed clinically, ultrasonographically, scintigraphically and histologically in a cohort of treated cases: 141 client‐owned treated racehorses followed‐up for a minimum of 2 years after return to full work. Reinjury percentages were compared to 2 published studies of other treatments with similar selection criteria and follow‐up. The number of race starts, discipline, age, number of MSCs injected and interval between injury and treatment were analysed. Results: There were no adverse effects of the treatment with no aberrant tissue on histological examination. The reinjury percentage of all racehorses with follow‐up (n = 113) undergoing MSC treatment was 27.4%, with the rate for flat (n = 8) and National Hunt (n = 105) racehorses being 50 and 25.7%, respectively. This was significantly less than published for National Hunt racehorses treated in other ways. No relationship between outcome and age, discipline, number of MSCs injected or injury to implantation interval was found. Conclusions: Whilst recognising the limitations of historical controls, this study has shown that MPC implantation is safe and appears to reduce the reinjury rate after superficial digital flexor tendinopathy, especially in National Hunt racehorses. Potential relevance: This study has provided evidence for the long‐term efficacy of MSC treatment for tendinopathy in racehorses and provides support for translation to human tendon injuries.     

Descriptive epidemiology of fracture,tendon and suspensory ligament injuries in National Hunt racehorses in training

Reasons for performing study: While fractures and tendon injuries are known to be important diseases in National Hunt (NH) racehorses during racing, there are no accurate estimates of their incidence in NH training yards. Objectives: To estimate the incidence of fractures and tendon and suspensory ligament injuries (TLIs) in NH racehorses in training; to describe the injuries incurred and to compare injury incidence rates by horse age, trainer, gender and background (ex‐flat vs. ex‐store horses). Methods: Cohort data were collected from 14 UK NH training yards for 2 racing seasons. Daily exercise regimens and details of fractures and TLIs occurring in study horses were recorded. Results: Data were gathered from 1223 horses that spent 9466 months at risk of injury. The fracture incidence rate was 1.1/100 horse months and varied significantly by trainer (P<0.001) but not by gender, age or background. The pelvis and third metacarpal bone (MCIII) were the most common fracture sites, although this varied between racing and training. The TLI incidence rate was 1.9/100 horse months and varied significantly by trainer (P = 0.05) and age (P<0.001) but not by gender or background. However, exstore horses were significantly more likely to have a TLI on the racecourse than ex‐flat horses (P = 0.01). Superficial digital flexor injuries accounted for 89% of all TLIs, the remainder being suspensory ligament injuries. Conclusions and potential relevance: Fractures and TLIs are important causes of morbidity and mortality in NH racehorses in training in England. This study provides accurate estimates of their incidence in this population and provides a baseline against which to monitor the effect of future interventions.     

Racing Performance in 72 Racehorses Treated with Prosthetic Laryngoplasty for Laryngeal Hemiplegia

The purpose of this study was to compare racing performance before and after prosthetic laryngoplasty for treatment of laryngeal hemiplegia in inexperienced (horses without at least one start before surgery) and experienced (horses with at least one start before surgery) Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racehorses. Medical records of 54 Thoroughbred and 18 Quarter Horse racehorses or horses intended for racing treated with prosthetic laryngoplasty and unilateral ventriculectomy for laryngeal hemiplegia were reviewed. Signalment, age at the time of surgery, resting endoscopic grade of laryngeal function, surgical procedure, and type of suture were recorded. Median performance index (PI), earnings, distance, and Beyer speed figure (BSF) per start for three races before and after surgery were compared, and factors associated with improved postsurgical performance were evaluated. Seventy-three percent of horses that had not raced before surgery and 84% of horses that competed in at least one race before surgery were able to return to racing after surgery. Fifty-nine percent and 27% of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, respectively, were able to improve their PI after surgery. Sixty-two percent and 20% of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, respectively, significantly increased their distance after surgery. Additionally, 61% and 66% of racehorses were able to increase their earnings and BSF after surgery, respectively. Horses treated with laryngoplasty and unilateral ventriculectomy have a good prognosis for return to racing. Inexperienced racehorses have a better prognosis for improvement after surgery than do experienced racehorses. Thoroughbred racehorses have a better success rate than Quarter Horse racehorses.     

Anesthetic management with sevoflurane and oxygen for orthopedic surgeries in racehorses

Eighty-five thoroughbred racehorses with various types of fracture were subjected to arthroscopic surgery (44 horses) or internal fixation (41 horses) under sevoflurane anesthesia. The mean end-tidal sevoflurane concentration during anesthesia ranged from 2.5 to 2.8%. PaCO2 was maintained between 50 and 65 mmHg by controlled ventilation. The mean arterial blood pressure was maintained above 65 mmHg by infusion of dobutamine and fluids, however, heart rate significantly increased with time. Recovery from anesthesia was calm and smooth in almost all cases. No apparent complication was observed during and after anesthesia in all cases. Therefore, sevoflurane anesthesia is considered to be safe and useful for orthopedic surgery in racehorses.     

郑州市犬瘟热病毒感染血清学调查

为了解郑州市犬瘟热流行情况,为犬瘟热的预防提供参考依据。采用间接ELISA法对来自郑州市480份血清进行抗体水平的检测,结果显示480份犬血清中犬瘟热抗体平均阳性率为16.04%,其中3岁以下犬犬瘟热阳性率为13.13%,3岁以上犬犬瘟热阳性率为 2.91%。犬瘟热的发病率仍然很高,尤其是3岁以下的犬犬瘟热阳性率较为高,应引起高度重视,防止犬瘟热的传播。     

Racing performance after arthroscopic removal of apical sesamoid fracture fragments in Thoroughbred horses age > or = 2 years: 84 cases (1989-2002)

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Studies have shown that surgical removal of apical fracture fragments in Standardbred racehorses carries the best prognosis for return to racing performance, but there are no reports involving mature Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses. OBJECTIVES: To describe the incidence of apical proximal sesamoid fractures in TB racehorses and determine probability and quality of racing performance after arthroscopic removal of such fractures in TB racehorses age > or = 2 years. METHODS: Medical records and pre- and post operative race records of TB racehorses age > or = 2 years that underwent arthroscopic surgery for removal of apical proximal sesamoid fracture fragments were reviewed. RESULTS: Sixty-four percent of fractures occurred in the hindlimbs and 36% in the forelimbs. Horses with forelimb fractures had a reduced probability of return to racing (67%) compared to those with hindlimb fractures (83%), but the majority (77%) of treated horses recovered to return to race post operatively. Horses with medial forelimb fractures raced at only a 47% rate; those with suspensory desmitis at 63%. Unlike Standardbreds, there was no difference in probability of racing post operatively between horses that had, and had not, raced preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Data show that arthroscopic removal of apical proximal sesamoid fracture fragments is successful at restoring ability to race in skeletally mature TB horses without evidence of severe suspensory ligament damage. Prognosis for return to racing is excellent (83%) in horses with hindlimb fractures and good (67%) in those with forelimb fractures. Medial fractures of the forelimb have the worst prognosis. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The determination of prognosis for differing sites in TB racehorses should increase knowledge of apical proximal sesamoid bone fractures and improve communication from veterinarian to owner, and trainer, on the potential for arthroscopic restoration of the ability to race.     

Prevalence of Clostridium difficile in horses

Fecal samples were collected to establish the apparent prevalence of Clostridium difficile shedding in Standardbred and Thoroughbred racehorses housed at 4 racetracks and 2 breeding facilities, and in horses admitted to a referral large animal clinic. Forty-one (7.59%) of 540 racetrack horses, seven (5.83%) of 120 breeding farm horses, and four (4.88%) out of 82 horses admitted to the referral clinic were culture-positive for C. difficile. An overall fecal culture prevalence of 7.01% for C. difficile was identified in 742 fecal samples. PCR-ribotyping and toxin gene identification was performed and seventeen 17 PCR-ribotypes were identified among the 52 C. difficile isolates.     

新生仔猪大批死亡疫情诊断及HP-PRRSV的分离鉴定

本试验通过对高发病率、高死亡率的新生仔猪腹泻病例进行诊断与控制,以期为该病的防控提供参考和借鉴.2013年1月初广西玉林某规模猪场发生以2~3日龄仔猪腹泻、呕吐、精神不振为主的疫情,发病率80%,死亡率80%~100%.为确定此次疫病的病因,本研究从发病猪群中采集10 份病死猪小肠、脾脏、肺脏、淋巴结等组织进行细菌分离、PCR检测、病毒分离、病毒效价(TCID₅₀)测定、基因测序与分析.检测结果显示猪流行性腹泻病毒(PEDV)和猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)均为阳性,猪瘟病毒(CSFV)、猪伪狂犬病病毒(PRV)、猪传染性胃肠炎病毒(TGEV)和猪轮状病毒(PRoV)均为阴性,未分离到致病菌.克隆测序分离株的ORF7和Nsp2全基因序列,结果显示分离株为美洲型PRRSV,ORF7基因全长为372 bp,编码123个氨基酸;Nsp2基因全长为2 850 bp,编码950个氨基酸,其中Nsp2基因在第481、532—560位发生了共30个氨基酸的不连续缺失,与高致病性PRRSV(HP-PRRSV) JXA1株Nsp2基因缺失特征一致,属于HP-PRRSV分离株.匀浆病料接种Marc-145 细胞,48 h开始出现 PRRSV 特征性病变,TCID₅₀为10^-5.75/0.1 mL.推测此次新生仔猪大批死亡主要是PEDV感染后继发高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征所致.     

Diagnosis of a Large Number of Death Cases of Newborn Piglets and Isolation and Identification of HP-PRRSV

The assay was aimed to provide theoretical references for the prevention and control of newborn piglet epidemic diarrhea which was characteristic of high morbidity and mortality.An outbreak of newborn piglet epidemic featuring diarrhea,emesis and lassitude was reported in January 2013 in a large-scale pig farm in Yulin,Guangxi province.The morbidity and mortality in the epidemic were 80% and 80% to 100%,respectively.To identify the causes,ten samples of small intestines,spleens,lungs and lymph glands were collected for the bacterial isolation,PCR,virus isolation,determination of TCID₅₀,gene sequencing and analysis.The detection results showed that PEDV and PRRSV were positive while those of CSFV,PRV,TGEV and PRoV were negative.No pathogenic bacteria were isolated.Clone and sequence results of ORF7 and Nsp2 genes of the isolate indicated that the isolate was an American PRRSV,with ORF7 of 372 bp (123 amino acids) and Nsp2 of 2 850 bp (950 amino acids).There was a discontinuous deletion of 30 amino acids of Nsp2 gene at sites 481 and 532 to 560,which was consistent with Nsp2 of highly pathogenic PRRSV JXA1,so the isolate could be determined as a HP-PRRSV strain.48 h after Marc-145 cells being inoculated by pathological sample,the typical CPE of PRRSV appeared,and TCID₅₀ of PRRSV isolate was 10^-5.75/0.1 mL.The newborn piglet epidemic diarrhea was caused by PEDV infection and HP-PRRSV subsequent infection.     

鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒地方流行毒株的免疫原性

从河北省一些发病鸡场分离到JD1～JD10共10株鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒(IBDV)毒株,用IBD标准阳性血清以琼扩试验进行了初步鉴定.并进行了IBDV分离物及其鸡胚适应毒免疫原对标准强毒IBDV-BC6/85株免疫保护试验,D78弱毒疫苗对IBDV各分离毒株的免疫保护试验以及分离毒株间交互免疫保护试验.结果表明,D78疫苗对JD2,JD5和JD10 IBDV分离株的保护率较低,分别为40%、50%和60%.分离毒株JD5、JD2及其鸡胚传代物E-JD2对强毒株的免疫保护率可达100%.交互免疫保护试验表明,JD2对其余各分离株的免疫保护指数达到80%以上,对标准强毒株和地方分离株均可产生有效免疫保护.     

Field observations during the Bluetongue serotype 8 epidemic in 2006. II. Morbidity and mortality rate, case fatality and clinical recovery in sheep and cattle in the Netherlands

Data collected in the Netherlands during the Bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV-8) epidemic indicated that in outbreak cattle herds, predominantly dairy and nursing cows were clinically affected and not young stock, beef cattle, beef calves, or breeding animals. In outbreak sheep flocks, mainly ewes and - if present - rams, were clinically affected and not the lambs. Median morbidity rate in outbreak herds was 1.85 per 100 sheep-month at risk and 0.32 per 100 cattle-month at risk for sheep and cattle, respectively. The mean proportion of BT-affected animals in outbreak herds that recovered from clinical disease was approximately eight times higher for cattle compared to sheep in the Netherlands. Median mortality rate in outbreak herds was 0.5 per 100 sheep-month at risk of dying and 0 per 100 cattle-month at risk of dying for sheep and cattle, respectively. Median recovery time of both sheep and cattle that recovered from clinical disease in outbreak herds was 14 days. Median case fatality was 50% in sheep outbreak flocks and 0% in outbreak cattle herds. It is concluded that morbidity and mortality in outbreak cattle herds was very limited during the BTV-8 epidemic in the Netherlands in 2006. In outbreak sheep flocks, morbidity was limited, with exceptions for a few flocks. However, almost 50% of the clinically sick sheep died in outbreak sheep herds.     

罗非鱼出血病病原鉴定及疫苗

从惠出血病罗非鱼血液、肝脏、脾脏中分离到一株细菌,经理化鉴定,该菌为嗜水气单胞菌,动物回归试验阳性,认为该罗非鱼出血病是嗜水气单胞菌引起。用该分离菌制成的饵料及附型疫苗田间免疫罗非鱼成活率达87．1％,未免疫组成活率仅59．9％。     

Risk factors for atrial fibrillation during racing in slow-finishing horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) immediately after racing among racehorses that finished well behind the winners and examine potential risk factors for AF in these horses. DESIGN: Case-control study. ANIMALS: 39,302 racehorses representing 404,090 race starts in races sanctioned by the Japan Racing Association between 1988 and 1997. PROCEDURE: Horses that finished > or = 4 (turf races) or 5 (dirt races) seconds behind the winner or that did not complete the race were examined for AF within 5 minutes after the race. Logistic regression and chi2 analyses were used to determine whether sex, age, race distance, race surface, year, or development of epistaxis was associated with development of AF. RESULTS: Estimated minimum frequency of AF was 0.03% (123 instances of AF following 404,090 race starts), and estimated minimum prevalence of AF among racehorses was 0.29% (115 horses with AF among 39,302 racehorses). Estimated frequency of AF among horses that finished slowly or did not finish was 1.39% (120 instances of AF among 8,639 examinations), and estimated prevalence of AF in horses that finished slowly was 1.23% (92 instances of AF among 7,500 horses) or 1.01% when only the first time a horse finished slowly was considered (76 instances of AF among 7,500 horses). Atrial fibrillation was paroxysmal in most horses. Among horses that finished slowly, 4-year-old and older horses and horses that raced on turf were more likely to develop AF. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that the likelihood of AF among racehorses that finish slowly is related to age and racing surface.     

2018年四川地区猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒ORF5基因的分子流行病学调查研究

为研究四川地区猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒（PRRSV）的流行及进化趋势,本研究以GP5蛋白为研究对象,对2018年间收集的378份四川省不同区市县PRRSV疑似病料进行了实时荧光定量PCR检测,并对部分毒株ORF5基因的核苷酸序列和推导的氨基酸序列进行进化分析和N-糖基化位点预测。通过疑似病料实时荧光定量PCR检测,共检出阳性样品69份,阳性率为18.25%。对其中23株PRRSV的ORF5基因序列分析结果显示,ORF5基因之间核苷酸同源性为81.6%~100%,推导的氨基酸同源性为81.4%~100%,均属于美洲型毒株。其中,1株属于以经典毒株VR2332为代表的亚型Ⅰ,17株属于以高致病毒株JXA1为代表的亚型Ⅱ,5株属于重组毒株NADC30为代表的亚型Ⅲ,说明2018年间四川省PRRSV流行毒株存在基因多样性,HP-PRRSV依然是主要流行毒株,但仍存在不断进化的经典毒株,同时,类似NADC30和QYYZ的重组毒株也开始出现。通过氨基酸突变位点和N-糖基化位点分析发现,23株PRRSV在GP5两个重要抗原表位相关区域和毒力相关位点均发生了一定程度的突变,推测这些突变可能影响了病毒逃避机体免疫和病毒毒力,提示在PRRSV防控中,应该加强遗传进化分析,根据不同类型的毒株选择有针对性的疫苗和防控策略。     

某规模化养殖场猪流行性腹泻急性病例报告

猪流行性腹泻是由猪流行性腹泻病毒(PEDV)引起的高度接触性肠道传染病,临床以仔猪呕吐、严重腹泻、高死亡率(产房仔猪达到100%)为主要特征,随着PEDV毒株的变异及其规模化猪场的扩张,猪场布局密度日益扩大,猪流行性腹泻在猪场已经成为常态化,尤其在冬春季节更为严重,对养殖场造成的损失严重,笔者处理了一起规模化猪场的的腹泻案例,在此分享供大家参考借鉴。     

猪病毒性腹泻三联疫苗的免疫研究

用猪传染性胃肠炎病毒、猪流行性腹泻病毒、猪轮状病毒制备的三联疫苗对８头怀孕母猪进行免疫，所产７３头仔猪保护率８９％；对１１０头仔猪进行口服免疫，２１天用三种强毒混合毒攻击，免疫组保护９２．７％，对照组发病８４．８％，经测定疫苗免疫期为４个月，干燥阴凉条件下保存期为１２个月。田间受免仔猪２７４４头，免疫保护９０％。     

一株变异型猪流行性腹泻病毒的分离鉴定及其灭活疫苗的免疫效力试验

本研究旨在分离猪流行性腹泻病毒（porcine epidemic diarrhea virus,PEDV）变异株,通过悬浮培养工艺制备成高效价的PEDV灭活疫苗。2017年从中国多个规模化猪场采集腹泻病死仔猪的小肠及其内容物200份,通过RT-PCR方法进行PEDV检测并测序,筛选一株PEDV变异株,将其在2 L反应器里悬浮培养的Vero细胞上进行病毒分离与传代培养,收获的病毒液鉴定后测定TCID₅₀,经甲醛灭活后加入氢氧化铝胶佐剂配制成PEDV灭活疫苗,对其物理性状、稳定性、黏度、无菌等进行检验,检验合格后免疫妊娠母猪及所产仔猪,对其安全性和免疫效力进行研究。结果显示,200份病料中有86份为PEDV阳性,将筛选的PEDV变异株病料在Vero细胞上传至第5代时出现细胞病变,传至第10代收获病毒液,经鉴定后确定为PEDV变异毒株,并命名为PEDV-GF10株。收获的病毒液浓缩后测得病毒滴度可达1×10^8.0 TCID₅₀/mL。疫苗检验合格后在母猪产前40和25 d时试验组后海穴肌内注射4 mL疫苗,空白组不免疫,结果显示试验组与空白组母猪的生产情况无明显差异,所产3日龄仔猪分别免疫不同剂量后体温无显著差异,表明该疫苗对母猪和仔猪均安全性良好。随机挑选试验组与空白组母猪所产3日龄仔猪各20头,分别口服4 mL PEDV-F10病毒培养物,空白组母猪所产仔猪在攻毒24 h后PEDV发病率为100%,抗体均为阴性;试验组母猪所产仔猪只有10%出现了轻微的腹泻症状,仔猪获得了高达90%保护率,且仔猪被动免疫后抗体能持续至35 d以上。以上结果表明,PEDV-GF10变异株通过悬浮细胞培养后病毒滴度显著提高,研制的PEDV-GF10株灭活疫苗安全有效,能够对中国的PEDV变异株达到有效防控,为国内PED防控提供了理论依据。